The Devil's Contract

Jessica didn't sleep that night.

Even with the heater off and the room freezing, sweat clung to her skin like guilt. Everytime she closed her eyes, she imagined her mother's voice, the bills piling up, and Romeo's voice saying, "Then we begin tommorow.

Tomorrow was now today.

At exactly 8am, a knock came at the door. She

opened it to find a tall man man in a blacksuit- no expression, no greeting. He handed her a sealed black envelope and walked away without a word.

She stared at the evelope like it might explode.

Inside was the contract.

Temporary Matrimony Agreement- twelve pages of precise, cold languages. Her name was printed on every page, binding her to a world she didn't belong in.

"Marriage shall last exactly 365 days."

"No physical intimacy unless both parties agree". Violation of discretion will result in contract termination and loss of benefits".

And the final clause:

$250,000 upon completion. All personal debts cleared.

Her hands trembled. This wasn't a dream. This was real. A transaction.

By noon, another knock came- this time , a car.

The driver took her to a tall glass building town. Blackwood Holding gleamed like something untouchable.

When she stepped into Romeo's office, her breath caught .

He was sitting behind a sleek black desk, wearing a charcoal suit and a watch that probably cost more than her entire life. His cold gray eyes rose to meet hers - sharp, unreadable.

"You came, " he said simply.

Jessica swallowed. "You left me no choice. "

"There's always a choice ", Romeo said, standing. "You jus didn't like the others ".

He walked around the desk and handed her a pen.

" Sign"

Her fingers brushed his as she took it. Ice to her warmth.

She stared at the line with her name. It felt like signing away her freedom....but she had no freedom to begin with.

" One year", She whispered .

" Exactly ".

She signed.

Romeo took the contract, his expression unreadable .

"Welcome to the cage, Mrs Blackwood "

He turned and walked away without another word.

Jessica stood frozen, pen still in hand.

What had she just done?

Jessica just stood there, frozen, staring at the space Romeo had just left behind. His office was cold. No in temperature, but in atmosphere. Everything was spotless, sharp, intimidating. Much like the man himself.

Her fingers still tingled from where they had brushed his. The pen, mow back on the table, felt havier than before- like it had signed more than just a piece of paper.

She left out a shaky breath.

You're not his wife. You're a name in a contract. That's all.

But the words didn't comfort her. They sounded hollow. She had agreed to step his world, and from what she'd seen so far, that world didn't welcome weakness.

The door creaked behind her. One of his assistants entered- a young woman in heels, holding a sleek white folder.

"Miss..... Mrs Blackwood", She corrected quickly, "Mr Romeo asked to give you this. It's your transition plan. Your schedule starts this evening".

Jessica blinked. "Schedule?"

"Yes, " the woman said , politely but firmly. "You'll be moving into his penthouse at 6pm. A driver will pick you up. The press already has wind of the marriage , so discretion is necessary. You'll find clothing instructions and public behavior guideline inside.

Jessica hesitated, then took the folder.

"Thanks"

"Also". The woman smiled a little.

"Congratulations. No everyone get this kind of opportunity ".

Jessica didn't respond. She just noded, though inside, she wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The woman exited as smoothly as she came.

Jessica sat in the private lounge beside the elevator, folder unopened on her lap. Her heart still hadn't slowed down . She wasn't sure it would for a while.

A wife.

She was someone's wife.

Not because of love, not because of vows, but because she was desperate - and he was dangerous.

Her eyes drifted down to the folder.

Inside it, her new life waited: roles to play, appearance to keep, lies to maintain.

She didn't know what scared her more - that Romeo had given her no choice....

Or that a part of her had wanted to say yes.